Journal of Oral Biosciences最新文献

{"title":"Preference for taste solutions within 10 minutes after starting to drink in water-deprived rats","authors":"Izumi Manabe ,&nbsp;Maho Yamazaki ,&nbsp;Shinpei Takahashi ,&nbsp;Shusuke Iwata ,&nbsp;Toshiaki Yasuo ,&nbsp;Takeshi Suwabe ,&nbsp;Satoshi Kawano ,&nbsp;Noritaka Sako","doi":"10.1016/j.job.2025.100701","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.job.2025.100701","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To evaluate the preference for taste solutions with palatable and aversive qualities during the initial 10 min after resuming drinking in water-deprived rats.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The effects of pre-exposure to taste solutions in eight-week-old male Wistar/ST rats and the impact of post-ingestive effects were examined by two-bottle preference tests every 2 min over a 10-min period for five days after deprived of water for 24 h. Sodium saccharin (Sacc, without post-ingestive effects) and sucrose (Suc, with post-ingestive effects) were used in the palatable solutions, and quinine hydrochloride (Q) was used in the aversive solution.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>In naïve rats, a significant difference in the consumed volume of Q solution and distilled water (DW) was observed on Day 1, whereas differences for the Sacc and Suc solutions were observed on Day 4. In pre-exposed rats, differences for the Sacc, Q, and Suc solutions were observed on Day 1, Day 1, and Day 2, respectively. However, no differences were observed for the Sacc solution on Days 2, 4, and 5. The cumulative volume consumed within 10 min differed significantly among all taste solutions and DW for almost all experimental days in the naïve and pre-exposed groups.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The short-term test showed that water-deprived rats did not initially discriminate between the qualities of taste solutions when commencing drinking after deprivation. Comparisons between the naïve and pre-exposed groups revealed that drinking behavior depended on prior exposure to the solutions. The short-term tests with the Sacc and Suc solutions indicate that post-ingestive effects influence drinking behavior.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":45851,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Oral Biosciences","volume":"67 4","pages":"Article 100701"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145265860","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Structural features of the articular disc of the rat temporomandibular joint: Fibrocartilage or dense fibrous lamina?","authors":"Shunichi Shibata ,&nbsp;Masami Takahashi ,&nbsp;Toru Shibui ,&nbsp;Yuri Seki-Kishimoto ,&nbsp;Masaki Takechi ,&nbsp;Kazuharu Irie","doi":"10.1016/j.job.2025.100694","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.job.2025.100694","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>The structure of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ disc) articular disc as a dense fibrous lamina or fibrocartilage is an ongoing debate. To clarify this, we investigated TMJ disc cells in 3- to 20-week-old rats from the perspectives of general histology, ultrastructure, immunohistochemistry, and <em>in situ</em> hybridization.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Sections from paraffin-embedded TMJ discs were immunohistochemically stained using antibodies against aggrecan and collagen type II. Expression of <em>Acan</em> and <em>Col2a1</em> mRNA was analyzed by <em>in situ</em> hybridization using antisense cRNA probes. Other samples were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Chondrocyte-like cells were visualized on the most medial aspect of the anterior band at 20 weeks. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that these cells were structurally similar to chondrocytes (termed “morphological chondrocytes”) but with less abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum and low expression of <em>Acan</em> and <em>Col2a1</em> mRNA. Immunoreactivity for aggrecan and collagen type II was sparse in the extracellular matrix, but the areas of positivity were narrow. Immunoreactivity for hypoxia-inducible factor-1α was detected in the morphological chondrocytes and CD31-positive capillaries did not enter the disc, indicating an enhanced hypoxic environment in this region.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The presence of morphological chondrocytes in the articular disc region indicates an adaptation to the hypoxic environment rather than increased synthesis of cartilaginous matrix synthesis; hence, the rat TMJ disc can be regarded, in general, as a dense fibrous lamina rather than consisting of fibrocartilage.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":45851,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Oral Biosciences","volume":"67 4","pages":"Article 100694"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145048471","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Challenges and prospects for popularizing cell therapy in the dentistry in Japan","authors":"Morikuni Tobita,&nbsp;Anna Arita","doi":"10.1016/j.job.2025.100692","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.job.2025.100692","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Regenerative medicine is actively used in dentistry in Japan and mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) therapy shows promising potential. Despite the growing interest and some clinical and private practice applications, the adoption of MSC-based therapies remains limited. In this study, we report the current status of cell therapy in dentistry in Japan and discuss the challenges in popularizing cell therapy and the future direction of dental regenerative medicine.</div></div><div><h3>Highlights</h3><div>As of May 2025, MSCs were being used for oral tissue regeneration in clinical research and private practice. Dental pulp is the primary source of MSCs, followed by adipose tissue and bone marrow. Approximately 50 private practice dental clinics in Japan offer MSC-based therapies, with most outsourcing cell processing. Current challenges in ensuring the safety and validity of cell therapy in dentistry are: 1) limited verification of safety and efficacy for specific diseases before offering private practice and 2) lack of appropriately collected clinical data to support evidence-based practice.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>To safely expand regenerative medicine in dentistry, stronger support for dental clinics is essential. This includes closer collaboration with academic institutions and the systematic collection of clinical data to ensure safety and efficacy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":45851,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Oral Biosciences","volume":"67 4","pages":"Article 100692"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144932726","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Advancements in 3D in vitro cell culture models for dental research","authors":"Selene G. Perales ,&nbsp;Mia Rodriguez ,&nbsp;Johnson Rajasingh ,&nbsp;Ayman Al Dayeh ,&nbsp;Yanhui Zhang ,&nbsp;Douglas Dixon","doi":"10.1016/j.job.2025.100702","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.job.2025.100702","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Recent advancements in three-dimensional (3D) in vitro models have transformed dental research, offering more accurate and physiologically relevant platforms to study oral health and diseases. This review explores the progress from basic spheroid models to sophisticated tooth-on-a-chip systems, highlighting their potential clinical applications. Spheroid models, which mimic the tissue architecture, offer valuable insights into cellular interactions and responses to various treatments. However, their simplicity limits their ability to replicate the complex oral cavity environments.</div></div><div><h3>Highlight</h3><div>Advancements made by transitioning from in vitro spheroid-based models to self-assembling 3D organoids or scaffold-based systems, which incorporate multiple cell types and extracellular matrix components, have enhanced the ability to mimic the native tissue environment and to study dental tissue development, regeneration, and pathological transition in greater detail. Similarly, the integration of microfluidic technology has led to the development of tooth-on-a-chip models that simulate the dynamic conditions of the oral cavity, including fluid flow and mechanical forces. These advanced models represent unprecedented opportunities for studying tooth development, disease progression, and the effects of dental treatments in a controlled and reproducible manner.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>In vitro models, particularly 3D systems, offer promise for personalized medicine, allowing patient-specific testing of oral biomaterials and therapies. Concurrently, they also provide opportunities to study unique cell-to-cell interactions between host immune cells and putative bacteria, drugs, or antibiotic therapy/screening, potentially serving as an alternative to current animal models. This review highlights the importance of continued innovation in 3D in vitro modeling to advance understanding of dental biology and improve clinical outcomes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":45851,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Oral Biosciences","volume":"67 4","pages":"Article 100702"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145265861","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Complement components C1r and C1s promote oral squamous cell carcinoma cell proliferation","authors":"Thinh Thi Kim Truong ,&nbsp;Tatsufumi Fujimoto ,&nbsp;Shinsuke Fujii ,&nbsp;Kari J. Kurppa ,&nbsp;Kana Hasegawa ,&nbsp;Yudai Tajiri ,&nbsp;Masafumi Moriyama ,&nbsp;Tamotsu Kiyoshima","doi":"10.1016/j.job.2025.100691","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.job.2025.100691","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), the most frequent cancer of the oral cavity, mostly arises from the mucosal epithelium and rarely from the odontogenic epithelium. However, it is unclear whether they share the same mechanisms of OSCC development. Recently, we clarified comprehensive gene expression patterns in pathological specimens of two types of OSCC (odontogenic epithelial and mucosal epithelial origin). In addition, the enrichment analysis demonstrated that the \"COMPLEMENT\" gene set was elevated in these tumor lesions. However, the role of this system in OSCC tumorigenesis remains unclear. Here, we aimed to investigate the involvement of complement components in OSCC development.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>siRNA and shRNA were used to examine OSCC cell proliferation <em>in vitro</em> and <em>in vivo</em> and assess activation of intracellular signaling using western blotting technics. An MEK1/2-specific inhibitor was used to verify its effects on the expression of C1r and/or C1s, components of the classical complement pathway. C1s expression in OSCC pathological specimens was investigated using immunohistochemical analysis.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>C1r and/or C1s expression regulated ERK and/or AKT activation and promoted OSCC cell growth. In addition, activated ERK regulated the expression of C1r and C1s via a negative-feedback loop. Immunohistochemically, C1s was expressed in the tumor lesions and frequently showed high expression levels of both phosphorylated ERK and Ki-67, but not in the non-tumor regions of OSCC specimens.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The complement system may be a common molecular mechanism for OSCC tumorigenesis, which arises from different origins: odontogenic and mucosal epithelium. Elevated C1r/C1s expression contributes to OSCC cell proliferation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":45851,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Oral Biosciences","volume":"67 4","pages":"Article 100691"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144863231","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Proinflammatory effects of factor Xa on human dental pulp cells","authors":"Kento Nakanishi ,&nbsp;Naoto Kamio ,&nbsp;Takahiro Watanabe ,&nbsp;Natsuko Furuya ,&nbsp;Kosei Kuramochi ,&nbsp;Joji Fukai ,&nbsp;Makoto Suzuki ,&nbsp;Arata Watanabe ,&nbsp;Mizuki Matsui ,&nbsp;Tatsu Okabe","doi":"10.1016/j.job.2025.100707","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.job.2025.100707","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>Dental pulp plays a crucial role in tooth homeostasis, and inflammation often leads to irreversible damage. Factor Xa (FXa), known for its role in coagulation, has recently been identified as an inflammatory mediator that acts via protease-activated receptor (PAR)-2 signaling. We herein investigated the PAR-2-mediated inflammatory response induced by FXa in human dental pulp cells (HDPC) by assessing COX-2 expression and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) levels.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>HDPCs were isolated from outgrowth cultures from extracted third molars and cultured in α-minimum essential medium containing 10 % fetal bovine serum. FXa was applied in a time- and concentration-dependent manner and COX-2 expression and PGE₂ production were evaluated using real-time RT-PCR, western blotting, and enzyme immunoassays. PAR-2 localization in inflamed pulp tissue was assessed using immunohistochemistry. Intracellular kinase phosphorylation was analyzed using a phosphokinase array. Inhibitor experiments with AZ3451, rivaroxaban, and static were conducted to examine PAR-2, FXa, and signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT)3 involvement in the signaling pathway.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>FXa promoted COX-2 expression and PGE₂ production in HDPCs in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed localization of PAR-2-positive cells in inflamed human pulp tissues. Phosphokinase array analysis revealed enhanced STAT3 phosphorylation, and inhibition of PAR-2, FXa, and STAT3 suppressed COX-2 expression.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>This study demonstrated that FXa induces COX-2 expression and PGE₂ production in HDPCs via PAR-2 and STAT3 signaling. These findings enhance our understanding of pulp inflammation and may support the development of new therapeutic approaches for dental pulp preservation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":45851,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Oral Biosciences","volume":"67 4","pages":"Article 100707"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145474052","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Matrix metalloproteinase 9 expressed in satellite glial cells in the trigeminal ganglion contributes to tongue-cancer-associated pain","authors":"Ryosuke Takahashi ,&nbsp;Suzuro Hitomi ,&nbsp;Yoshinori Hayashi ,&nbsp;Sho Sawada ,&nbsp;Koichi Iwata ,&nbsp;Masamichi Shinoda","doi":"10.1016/j.job.2025.100709","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.job.2025.100709","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) degrades extracellular matrix and it is involved in cancer angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis. However, the function of MMP9 within the trigeminal ganglion (TG) in tongue-cancer-associated pain remains unclear. The objective of this study was to clarify the role of MMP9 in the TG in tongue-cancer-associated pain in rats.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Tongues were inoculated with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cells. Post–SCC inoculation, the tongues were subjected to mechanical stimulation using flat-tipped forceps and the mechanical head-withdrawal reflex threshold (MHWT) was measured. On Day 6, post-inoculation, the localization of MMP9 in the TG was identified, and its expression level was quantified. Additionally, MMP9 inhibitors were administered daily to the TG, post–SCC inoculation, and the MHWT was measured. Furthermore, MMP9 was administered daily to the TG of untreated rats, and the MHWT was measured.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The MHWT decreased from Day 1, post–SCC inoculation. Activated satellite glial cells expressed MMP9, and the MMP9 level increased. Inhibition of MMP9 in the TG prevented the SCC-induced decrease in the MHWT from Day 6 onwards. Conversely, the administration of MMP9 to the TG led to a reduction in the MHWT in untreated rats.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>MMP9, which originates from activated satellite glial cells in the TG, post–SCC inoculation, contributes to tongue-cancer-associated pain.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":45851,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Oral Biosciences","volume":"67 4","pages":"Article 100709"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145525831","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Determination of Streptococcus gordonii novel adhesins specific to sialidase-treated erythrocytes","authors":"Mayumi Uchikawa,&nbsp;Keitarou Saiki,&nbsp;Yuiko Ishikawa,&nbsp;Yumiko Urano-Tashiro,&nbsp;Yuki Yamanaka,&nbsp;Yukihiro Takahashi","doi":"10.1016/j.job.2025.100700","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.job.2025.100700","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>The Hsa/GspB adhesins of the oral bacterium <em>Streptococcus gordonii</em> are glycoproteins that bind to sialic acid. Hsa/GspB are peptidoglycan-associated proteins that have the Leu-Pro-X-Thr-Gly (LPXTG) motif and they have sialic acid-dependent hemagglutinating (HA) activity. In <em>S. gordonii</em> DL1, Hsa is the only HA factor for human erythrocytes, whereas the clinical isolate, <em>S. gordonii</em> NDU1118, has sialic-acid-dependent HA activity via GspB and distinct sialic-acid-independent HA activity. This study aimed to identify sialic-acid-independent adhesins in <em>S. gordonii</em> NDU1118.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The complete genome of the NDU1118 strain was sequenced and annotated. LPXTG-containing proteins were identified and compared with those of the DL1 strain to select candidate genes unique to the NDU1118 strain. The candidate genes were individually deleted to construct mutant strains, which were then tested for sialic-acid-independent HA activity in neuraminidase (sialidase)-treated human erythrocytes.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Genome sequencing of <em>S. gordonii</em> NDU1118 identified 31 putative peptidoglycan-associated proteins containing the LPXTG motif. Homology analysis revealed that NDA_1151 and NDA_2061 did not have homologs in the DL1 strain and were therefore selected as potential adhesin candidates. Reverse transcription-PCR confirmed that both genes were transcribed in the NDU1118 strain. Deletion of <em>NDA_1151</em> or <em>NDA_2061</em> abolished HA activity in neuraminidase-treated erythrocytes.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div><em>NDA_1151</em> and <em>NDA_2061</em> encode novel sialic-acid-independent adhesins, designated aggregation of sialidase-treated hematids 1 (<em>ash1</em>) and <em>ash2</em>, respectively.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":45851,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Oral Biosciences","volume":"67 4","pages":"Article 100700"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145332475","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Hyperglycemia in obese type 2 diabetes mellitus rats affects pulp wound healing","authors":"Rosa Baldeon-Gutierrez ,&nbsp;Naoto Ohkura ,&nbsp;Nagako Yoshiba ,&nbsp;Shintaro Takahara ,&nbsp;Susan Gomez-Kasimoto ,&nbsp;Takako Ida ,&nbsp;Naoki Edanami ,&nbsp;Kunihiko Yoshiba ,&nbsp;Shoji Takenaka ,&nbsp;Yuichiro Noiri","doi":"10.1016/j.job.2025.100683","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.job.2025.100683","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>Hyperglycemia in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus is associated with delayed wound healing, although the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Macrophages play a crucial role in the initiation, maintenance, and resolution of inflammation by polarizing into proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory subtypes. Hyperglycemia may interfere with odontoblast-like cell differentiation and cause persistent proinflammatory polarization in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Eight-week-old spontaneously diabetic Torii fatty rats (model rats for type 2 diabetes mellitus) and Sprague-Dawley rats (control group, four rats per group) were used. The upper left first molars underwent pulpotomy and were capped with mineral trioxide aggregates for observation after seven days. Osteopontin expression was analyzed to assess the initiation of wound healing. Immunofluorescence analysis of nestin and alpha-smooth muscle actin was used to evaluate odontoblast-like cell differentiation. Double-positive cells among proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory macrophages were counted. Furthermore, the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), Thy1, and CD146 were evaluated to assess cell proliferation and mesenchymal stem cells.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Inflammation persisted in the model rats, and no reparative dentin was formed. Macrophages in the model rats showed an increased proinflammatory response and a reduced anti-inflammatory response.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Hyperglycemia interferes with macrophage polarization and odontoblast-like cell differentiation, thus impairing wound healing in this model.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":45851,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Oral Biosciences","volume":"67 4","pages":"Article 100683"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144842233","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Dextrin utilization in Streptococcus pyogenes pathogenesis and growth","authors":"Yujiro Hirose ,&nbsp;Victor Nizet ,&nbsp;Shigetada Kawabata","doi":"10.1016/j.job.2025.100704","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.job.2025.100704","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div><em>Streptococcus pyogenes</em> has several clinical manifestations, from mild pharyngitis to life-threatening necrotizing fasciitis. Nutrient conditions strongly influence its virulence, and the ability to metabolize dextrin contributes to growth and pathogenicity. Since dextrin-dependent phenotypes link metabolic adaptation with virulence regulation, reviewing the current knowledge is essential for understanding how carbohydrate utilization shapes <em>S. pyogenes</em> pathogenesis and proliferation.</div></div><div><h3>Highlight</h3><div>Animal models have demonstrated that the maltose/dextrin utilization operon enhances fitness and is co-activated with major toxins at infection sites. System-level analyses have shown that dextrin induces the <em>nga–ifs<u>–</u>slo</em> operon and activates CovRS-associated modules, a regulatory system central to virulence control. Dextrin also promotes <em>in vitro</em> growth, with genome-scale metabolic modeling implicating increased arginine metabolism in this phenotype. Collectively, these results suggest that dextrin acts as a regulatory cue to reprogram virulence and metabolic capacity.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Dextrin utilization shapes both the growth and virulence of <em>S. pyogenes</em>. Although the mechanisms remain incompletely defined, integrating metabolic modeling with experimental approaches will be crucial for clarifying how carbohydrate use drives invasive diseases.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":45851,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Oral Biosciences","volume":"67 4","pages":"Article 100704"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145361894","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}